Trolley-carrier



(No Model.)

' B. P. BROWN.

TROLLEY CARRIER.

No. 429,113. Patented June 3, 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN F. BROYVN, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

TROLLEY-CARRIER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 429,113, dated .1 une 3, 1890.

Application filed March 14, 1890. Serial No. 343,848. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. BROWN, of Boston, county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Trolley-Carriers, of which the following descr1pt1on, in connection with the accompanying drawlngs, is a specification, like letters and figures on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention has for its object to provide a trolley-carrier with a suitable device by which to assist the operator in bringing the trolley into contact with the wire. A device of this kindis much needed, because trolleys as now constructed frequently leave the wire, and much difficultyis oftentimes experienced in replacing them.

My invention also comprehends placing a ylelding portion in the trolley-carrying arm near the trolley, so that the trolley may have a sl ght vertical as well as a slight rotating motion to assist it in keeping the wire.

In accordance With this invention a guidearm is connected to the trolley-carrier at one side of the trolley, and means are preferably provided for moving the guide-arm into and out of operative position. The guide-arm preferably has a hooked end, for purposes to be described. A spring is interposed between the yoke carrying the trolley and the trolley-carrying arm, or connecting the yoke andarm by means of a spring.

Figure 1 shows in side elevation a trolley and trolley-carrier embodying this invention; Flg. 2, an edge view of the trolley and its carrier shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a similar ylew to Fig. 1, the guide-arm being shown in 1ts operative position; and Fig. 4, an edge view of the guiding-arm.

The trolley a is pivoted to the trolley-earr1er or yoke a in usual manner. A cord or chain 1) is attached to the yoke a, by means of which the latter is pulled down against the tension of its lifting-spring, which is not herein shown, being arranged in usual manner on the roof of the car.

The electric wire is represented at w.

An arm 0 is pivotally connected to the trolley-carrier or yoke a, this arm extending 1n one direction some distance beyond the periphery of the trolley, and at a point at the opposite of its pivotal connection a rod or bar 0 is attached, although to compensate for a sudden or too great strain a spring a is interposed. The opposite end of the rod or bar is attached to the cord or chain h at some dis tance from its point of attachment, so as to leave the cord or chain slack. A spring (Z encircles the pivot of the arm, one end of which is attached to the arm 0 and the other end to the carrier or yoke or to the pivot, the tendency of the spring being to normally throw the arm 0 into a position substantially parallel with the wire 20, as shown in Fig. 1. The arm 0 preferably has at its end a hook or inward bend 0 (See Fig. 4.)

When the trolley leaves the wire to on the right-hand side, (see Fig. 2,) and it is desired to replace it, the cord or chain b is drawn taut, it first pulling on the rod or bar 0 and throwing the arm 0 into vertical position, as represented in Fig. 3. By further pulling on the cord 1) the trolley-carrier is pulled down against the tension of its lifting-spring. As it approaches the wire w, the wire will contact with the yoke a, following along until it passes over the top of the trolley, when it will strike the inner side of the arm 0, and will then be guided into the groove.

If when the trolley leaves the wire it rises above it at the left-hand side, the trolley is pulled down below the wire and permitted to rise again at the opposite side, it being thereafter drawn down again slowly, as before specified. After the trolley has been restored to its proper position on the wire to, tension on the cord 1) is removed, and the arm 0 will be turned into its inoperative position, as shown in Fig. l, by means of its spring (Z.

By the employment of the guide-arm c it will be seen that when the trolley approaches the wire, it the latter is swaying, as it frequently is, and also if the trolley-carrier is vibrating, the wire will be caught by the hook and will follow along the inner side of the arm, whereas when no arm or hook is employed the trolley will be swung first to one and then to the other side of the wire. A stop-arm 20 is arranged on the yoke or carrier a, which limits the movement of the arm 0 by its spring d. The trolley carrier or yoke a is connected with the arm by means of a stifl? spiral spring, 21, to assist in giving the trolley a yielding action in any direction, and

when said spiral spring 21 is employed a supplemental cord 22 is attached to the arm, connecting the cord 1 so as to pull the yoke a and arm without materially bending the said spring 21. This spiral spring allows the trolley-carrier to have a rotary motion in any direction or plane, and particularly a rocking motion on its own axis.

The current may pass down through the spring 21 by means of a wire coiled therein.

I claim 1. The supporting-ar1n, combined with the trolley-carrier connected with it, and having an independent rocking movement on its own axis, and the trolley carried by it, substantially as described.

2. The trolley and its carrier, combined with apivoted guide-arm and means for moving it, substantially as described.

3. The trolley and its carrier, combined with a pivoted guide-arnl, a spring for holding it in one position, and a cord for moving it into its opposite position against the tension of the said spring, substantially as described.

"l. The trolley and its carrier, combined with a guide-arm, a rod 0, spring 0 and cord Z), substantially as described.

5. The trolley and its carrier and supporting-arm and connecting spiral spring 21, substantially as described.

6. The trolley and its carrier, and arm, and cords b, 22, and c, substantially as described.

7. The trolley and its carrier having the limiting-stop 20 and the guide-arm, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

BENJAMIN F. BROXVN.

Witnesses:

BERNICE J. NOYES, EMMA J. BENNETT. 

